Kazakhstan’s Proactive Measures in Addressing the Aral Sea Crisis as a Platform for Enhanced International Representation and Media Engagement

Abstract

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the countries of Central Asia faced new challenges, including the gradual disappearance of the Aral Sea rooted in the Soviet era. This near disappearance serves as a symbol of the region’s victimisation, as the Soviets diverted the waters of what was once the fourth largest lake in the world to irrigate cotton fields and boost agricultural output. Once spanning 68,000 square kilometres, the sea has shrunk by 90%. Being a key player in Central Asia, Kazakhstan has taken the lead in regional efforts to find solutions to this critical environmental, social, and economic disaster. As a young state striving for recognition, Kazakhstan has come under close attention, implementing various initiatives, including the construction of the first sand dam in the Berg Strait and the Kokaral Dam, the signing of the Almaty Agreement, the establishment of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the organisation of EXPO 2017.
The paper attempts to explain Kazakhstan’s efforts in resolving the crisis in the Aral Sea and its impact on its international representation and media engagement. The findings indicate that Kazakhstan’s environmental actions may potentially support not only the restoration of local ecology but also strengthen the country’s image as an important regional player in sustainable development. This paper addresses environmental diplomacy in the context of strategic action for countries seeking better positions globally while seeking solutions for pressing ecological problems.